The Taming of the Shrew - Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

[NeilVHughes]

The Taming of the Shrew set will include architectural extensions that are designed to unlock the many playing levels of the Playhouse. These additions allow the actors to access the whole space without leaving the theatre and will change the dynamic of the playing space giving new levels, new depths and diagonals that were not previously possible. Many of the audience sightlines will be enhanced with the new playing spaces offered for the first time.

Following on from the cast swapping announced last week the experimentation continues.

Intrigued to see the changes as the limited space would suggest little opportunity for major changes.

[peggs]

Trying to imagine what that might look like, some kind of internal ladders if it will allow access of all levels from in the theatre?

[lynette]

They should try making the seats more comfortable,, then I might go.

[Jan]

Jan 13, 2020 20:48:21 GMT lynette said:

They should try making the seats more comfortable,, then I might go.

In the Read Not Dead season they are doing readings of all the surviving plays from Shakespeare’s time. Due to the nature of the event no running times are advertised. One turned out to be 4.5 hrs long - imagine that on those benches.

[raiseitup]

Just a warning that this is very long, especially on those 'seats'. Advertised timings are:

Act 1 - 1hr 55
Act 2 - 1hr 15

They've built a walkway from the stage over the pit to the front centre of the first gallery. There are also platforms - one at the back right of the stage, and one in the auditorium both at second gallery level with ladders for the cast to get up there.

I, frankly, hated the first act and didn't stick around for the second. There were quite a few early leavers throughout Act 1 too.

[partytentdown]

Bloody hell. 2 hours straight is going to fully numb your bum in that place.

[couldileaveyou]

Considering the length, the seats and the infernal hags that haunt the theatre as ushers, I'll give this a hard pass. I'll try to muster the stamina for Women Beware Women tho.

[peggs]

how was the casting working raiseitup ?

[raiseitup]

Feb 5, 2020 18:11:41 GMT couldileaveyou said:

Considering the length, the seats and the infernal hags that haunt the theatre as ushers, I'll give this a hard pass. I'll try to muster the stamina for Women Beware Women tho.

I thought it was particularly entertaining that the usher in the pit who was lecturing the poor prisoners about coats and phones and coughing and watches and talking and whispering and eating and shuffling and generally breathing before it started, kept on not-so-subtely checking her very bright smart watch throughout the first half. I didn't blame her though for this one. 

[raiseitup]

Feb 5, 2020 19:48:09 GMT peggs said:

how was the casting working raiseitup ?

I'd say James Northcote was the best, no one was giving particularly memorable performances though. The actress playing Kate was particularly weak I thought.

(Apologies for not double quoting here, can't figure out how to do it!)

[peggs]

Thanks raiseitup, I guess we don't know if that is set casting yet or if they're still changing it round? That said they've released photos and named the characters so maybe it is.

[showgirl]

I've been waiting and waiting for someone to correct the title or ask for it to be corrected. Please could an admin or a mod or anyone with permission do so?

[cirque]

what is going on here......please.......sort out.

[showgirl]

Ecstatic - thank you, @theatremonkey!

[duncan]

Happier than the critics?

[peggs]

Reviews seem uniformly terrible, looks like the rsc version that was generally loathed on here might be the better version I'll see in 6 months. Booking based on a single actor who now appears to have the smallest role has back fired for me. Gutted, I cut short my holiday booking to fit this in.